Today the Java Community Process (JCP), the Sun-sponsored Java standards body, released its long-awaited new Web site, making it easier for developers to keep track of Java specifications. Artima asked Heather VanCura, manager of Sun's JCP program office, how the new site makes it easier for developers to keep up with new Java standards:

Frank Sommers: Why was there a need to develop a new Web site for the JCP?

Heather VanCura: The new jcp.org site is a response to the input and comments the JCP program office collected from the broad constituency of JCP program members, participants, and users since the last iteration of the site in early 2004.

The site is designed to save time, increase efficiency, and enable more transparent communication and access to information from the JCP. While some new features are available to JSR Expert Group members and Spec Leads only—such as forums and online submission process for JSR stage submittals—the majority of the new features are visible to all JCP program participants and users.

The site offers a richer user experience with personalized content, enhanced participation and communication. For example, there is a customized "My JSR" page with the ability to create a JSR Watch List to easily track activity in JSRs of interest to you. The new site also provides forums for increased communication in a Message Board format.

Frank Sommers: To what extent does the new site encourage open communication of JSR expert group members with developers outside the expert group?

Heather VanCura: JSR Expert Groups will now have the ability to interact more efficiently with the broader developer community through the enhance communication of the new site.

The Message Boards are implemented in a way that enables people outside of the expert groups to have discussions around the JCP program in general, and for particular technologies and areas of interest. There will continue to be communication that is for members of the Expert Group; however, there will also be areas for discussion with the broader developer community.

In addition, the site makes it easier for the community to track the progress of a JSR. The new site implements a feature that identifies new updates so that developers can have visibility into recent updates, changes in schedule, or new JSR milestone postings.

The My JSR page will take this one step further by allowing developers to customize a Watch List of JSRs that they are specifically interested in following. Every time they visit jcp.org and login to the site, they can easily view the updates since their last visit.

The updates include all activities related to a JSR—for example when a Final Release of a spec, reference implementation, or the TCK are available for download. These updates will be highlighed with an icon to indicate a recent change. It is also possible for the Spec Lead to provide additional information to the community, such as when an RI passes the TCK.

JSR Spec Leads and Expert Group members will also be provided tools that will make their experience on the site more productive: For example, allowing them to track the activities and their participation in various Expert Groups, to edit profile and member participation information, and providing single unified logins. There is also an online JSR stage submission process and support, which will improve the experience of the JSR Spec Lead.

Frank Sommers: Is it now possible to join the JCP entirely through the Web site? In the past, an applicant had to print a copy of the JSPA and fax back a signed copy.

Heather VanCura: The new site will enable individuals to register for the site entirely online, allowing the creation of a My JSR page, a JSR Watch List, and participation in the forums. It will also streamline the membership application process through a web form which generates the information required for membership.

To become a JCP program member and participate on JSR expert groups, the Java Specification Participation Agreement (JSPA) legally does still require a signature; however, the JSPA will be populated with the user information entered.